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Whereas Trump thinks the way to reduce "panic" is to lie, in his First Inaugural, FDR, who also wanted to reduce "fear" and "terror," said in the 3rd sentence, "This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly."/1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politicThis/trump-reaction-woodward-interview-coronavirus/2020/09/09/fc21e67e-f2ca-11ea-b796-2dd09962649c_story.html
In that speech, FDR claimed (with considerable exaggeration, it must be said) "In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor" has been met with the "understanding and support of the people."/2
Moreover, FDR didn't say the problem would magically go away. Instead, he offered a diagnosis of the problem and a series of proposed solutions: "Our greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously."/3
He told the American people that the federal government had to be part of the solution: "It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war..." /4
And he explained how the benefits of a federal response to the economic crisis: a strong federal response could accomplish, he said, "greatly needed projects to stimulate and reorganize the use of our natural resources."/5
Even though he was dealing with an emergency that required immediate attention, FDR promised the he would also promote ""safeguards against a return of the evils of the old order," so that not only would the current crisis be solved but future such crises averted./6
Unlike Trump, FDR recognized and built on feelings of solidarity and mutual support: "If I read the temper of our people correctly, we now realize as we have never realized before our interdependence on each other..." /7
And, toward the end of his address, FDR spoke of unity in the face of difficult problems, "We face the arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of the national unity..." /8
And he concluded by celebrating democracy: "We do not distrust the future of essential democracy." /9
FDR's response to fear: honest diagnosis, proposed federal solutions for the short and longer term, emphasis on unity, solidarity, interdependence, democracy.
Trump's response: lying, undermining public goods like the USPS and democratic institutions like mail-in ballots. /10
Trump's response: lying, undermining public goods like the USPS and democratic institutions like mail-in ballots. /10
